Why you Should Hold on to Your Older Computer
If you’re anything like us, you tend to do away with older computers once you settle on an upgrade.
More often than not, this is not because the older system has stopped working completely, but rather because its performance is frustrating slow when compared to a newer device. We’re here to tell you that this doesn’t need to be the way, and that older computers can still play an important and fun part in your business, communication, and entertainment lives.
What Can an Older System Do?
Chances are you already have an idea of potential performance, but in some cases, we never really explore the breadth of what a machine can do. Fundamentally, this question depends on how old your computer is, but it can extend to a far wider range of options than you might initially think. As a general rule, most applications released up to a couple of years past your computer’s launch date should be workable.
This means word processing and working with emails is likely a given, and machines can be worth saving as backups for this reason alone. Common other uses include social media applications and watching videos online. The one issue which is probably going to be a concern is gaming, but opportunities here can still be wide-ranging, with the right point of view.
In terms of contemporary video games, it’s probably best not to expect much. That said, some modern games, like those from online casinos, tend to work with considerably lower requirements than traditional video games. If you’re interested in this arm of gaming, there are even websites like Bonus CA which can help get players a head start with welcome bonuses like deposit matches. Playable over an enormous range of games from websites like Jackpot City, these can be a perfect fit for systems of any age.
Getting a Computer Ready
Of course, before you can think of getting back into an older system, you’ll likely need to do some cleaning. The physical end of this is easy, simply remove the case (most have one side that comes off easily with a few screws), and blast away the dust with a can of compressed air.
Just be sure not to hit anything while you clean and take the computer somewhere you don’t mind cleaning up afterward. Years of accumulated dust can not only slow performance, but it can also be nasty to deal with, so wear a mask if you are sensitive.
On the software side, it can be a great idea to perform a complete system format. This will remove all data from a computer, so backup any important files first. Formatting will require a complete reinstall of operating systems and programs, but this is a relatively simple, though occasionally time-consuming, process.
It can be tempting to skip this step, but in our experience, users tend to install far more programs than they need over the years, clogging a system’s resources. Eventually, these can make a computer run considerably slower than it should, so formatting is a great way to reclaim some lost performance. Just be sure that you have your operating system install disk and activation code ready before attempting this step.
Altogether, getting a system cleaned and ready to go can take as short a time as an afternoon. It might seem too good to be true, but these simple steps alone can be enough for an older computer to work its way from being a frustrating experience to becoming a useful companion. For gaming, media, or just talking with friends and family, consider giving your device another lease on life, after all, what have you got to lose?
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